The farming of pearl oysters has become a popular industry in Asian countries. In the past, jewellery items made of pearl were famous all over the world. Vietnam, with favourable conditions due to its long coastline, is suitable for the development of the industry. The results of recent scientific research works show that many species of pearl oysters can be grown from Quang Ninh province in the north to Kien Giang province in the south.
In the central coastal area, the farming of pearl oysters was developed in the end of 20th century. However, the region had medium and small-sized farms. These include a farm in Vung Ro of Phu Yen province, and some 100 per cent foreign-owned establishments. Now, many joint ventures have been set up and developed in Vietnam, such as Vina Pearl, Halong Pearl and Phu Quoc Pearl.
In Quy Nhon’s seas, specifically in Nhon Hai, Nhon Ly and Nhon Chau, and other localities, some pearl oysters with scientific names of Pteria martensi and Pteria Margaritifera, have appeared in a large volume. The natural pearl oyster resources can provide investors with up to 90 per cent of materials. Pearl oyster products from Binh Dinh may be able to be exported to China, Japan and the EU.
The Binh Dinh Department of Fisheries said that the provincial People’s Committee is planning the farming of pearl oysters in Hai Giang village, Nhon Hai commune and Quy Nhon city. The area for the project is put at between 50 and 70 hectares with favourable conditions.
Nhon Hai commune and Hai Giang village (Hai Cang ward) Quy Nhon city are home to 5,700 fishermen. Therefore, the region has enough workers for the project. The Binh Dinh People’s Committee is calling for investors for a farm with a capacity of three million material oysters. The farm will be able to produce 600,000 pearls per year. Pearls taken from oysters raised on a trial basis in the region have both the brightness and polish required to qualify for export. The project is expected to have a total investment of US$1 million, coming from domestic and foreign sources.
The trial project on farming pearl oysters in the Quy Nhon seas was carried out by the Binh Dinh fisheries extension centre for three years from 2000 to 2003 in the Hai Giang sea within the Nhon Hai peninsula, Quy Nhon city. After researching environmental conditions in the region, the researchers identified two species of pearl oysters which have existed and lived there for a long time. They then hired local fishermen catch 16,000 oysters of the two species. After around five months, the group harvested pearls. The result has opened up a new prospect for the development of pearl oyster farming among local fishermen.
Experts from the research group said that the farming of pearl oysters depended on many factors. Among them, the living environment of oysters is most important with the salt level of water suitable for oysters’ growth. Pearl oysters grow by 24 millimetres in size, weighing over 20 grams. Pearl oysters in Quy Nhon’s seas can be harvested after just over one year. The living rate of pearl oysters in the region is put at between 48 and 75 per cent. The successful rate for pearl transplantation is between 23.2 and 31 per cent. Pearls produced in Binh Dinh have silver and golden colours, which are favourites in the world market. Kichinosuke Hiraga, Japanese expert and director of the Quang Ninh Pearl Company in Khanh Hoa province, said that pearls produced in Binh Dinh province had reached the international standard.
Quy Nhon, Binh Đinh province, is considered to be potential for the farming of pearl oysters in Central Vietnam. However, knowledge about multiplying and producing pearl oysters remains constrained. With proper support policies, the industry is hoped to become a useful tool for hunger elimination and poverty reduction.
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